Thriston Lawrence Makes History After Crans-Montana Play-Off Thriller

Thriston Lawrence defeated Paul Casey on the fourth play-off hole to win the Omega European Masters for a third time after shooting a bogey-free final-round 62.

The South African began Sunday six shots behind Casey at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, but reached 18 under with eight birdies. Casey regained the outright lead late in his round before bogeying the 72nd hole, sending the tournament into its 11th play-off in 19 editions.

Lawrence overturns six-shot deficit

Lawrence had held the halfway lead after a second-round 63, only to fall back with a three-over 73 on Saturday. He responded by making five birdies through ten holes during the final round and moved ahead when Casey found trouble at the 6th.

A birdie from five feet at the 12th gave Lawrence the outright lead at 16-under. He gained another shot at the 14th before his birdie at the 17th took him to 18-under, and a narrow miss on the last left him waiting with the clubhouse lead.

Casey, who had taken a three-shot lead with a third-round 63, recovered from a double bogey at the 6th and a bogey at the 8th. Four back-nine birdies moved the Englishman to 19-under with one hole remaining.

The 49-year-old needed a par at the 18th, a hole he had birdied in each of the opening three rounds. His par putt caught the lip and stayed out, leaving him tied with Lawrence.

Both players parred the first three extra holes. At the fourth, Casey missed a long birdie attempt from the fringe before Lawrence converted from 23 feet to win the title.

Lawrence joins Ballesteros

Lawrence’s earlier victories came in 2022 and 2025, with this success giving him a third title. Since the Swiss tournament joined the DP World Tour schedule in 1972, only Seve Ballesteros had previously won it three times, making Lawrence the second player to do so and the sixth three-time champion in its 103-year history.

“It’s crazy, it’s probably the most emotion I’ve ever shown like in a happy way, normally I cry,” Lawrence said. “I can’t believe it, I fought so hard today and just gave it my everything.”

Harry Hall made an eagle and five birdies in a bogey-free 63 to finish third on 17-under. Ángel Hidalgo, Ángel Ayora, Eugenio Chacarra, Bernd Wiesberger and Francesco Laporta shared fourth, one shot further back.

Casey pledged his runner-up prize money of €354,734 to Fondation Beloved, which supports those affected by the New Year’s Day fire at a bar in Crans-Montana.

THRISTON LAWRENCE DOES IT AGAIN 🏆🇿🇦

After FOUR play-off holes, Lawrence is a three-time winner of the Omega European Masters.#OEM2026 pic.twitter.com/shVWrFR2gs

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 6, 2026

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Donald Ross crafted 27 holes on a property that provides for nearly 300 feet of elevation change from the clubhouse.

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